Refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine, including a refrigerator and a baffle. The baffle is mounted in the frame of a playing machine. The refrigerator includes an evaporator mounted on one end of the baffle, and extended to the upper side and the lower side of the baffle. The evaporator of the refrigerator is mounted in a first passage. A plurality of fans are mounted under the first passage. When the refrigeration circulation starts operation, the fans located under the first passage start to draw the air under the baffle. The heat is absorbed by the evaporator of the refrigerator, and the air is then blown out through the first passage to be returned to a position under the baffle through a second passage. Thus, the air circulates continuously between the upper side and the lower side of the baffle through the evaporator of the refrigerator, so that the cold air can be used for refrigerating food placed on the upper surface of the baffle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine, and more particularly to a refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine for maintaining the freshness of food.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Prior Art

[0004] A conventional playing machine lacks refrigeration equipment, therefore, the conventional playing machine cannot be used to store food therein. If the food is stored in the playing machine, the storage period is very short, thereby causing inconvenience to the operator, and thereby decreasing the variation and amusement effect of the playing machine. In addition, if the conventional refrigeration device is installed on the conventional playing machine, the refrigeration scope is too broad, thereby increasing consumption of electricity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In accordance with the present invention, a playing machine is provided with a refrigeration circulation which is limited in a constant scope, thereby refrigerating the food in the playing machine, and thereby reducing unnecessary consumption of electricity.

[0006] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine. The playing machine is provided with a refrigeration circulation which uses the principle of natural convection, wherein the hot air lifts, while the cold air lowers down, so that the cold air circulates continuously between the upper side and the lower side of the baffle, thereby increasing the refrigeration efficiency.

[0007] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine. The playing machine is provided with a refrigeration circulation, so that the playing machine can be used to refrigerate food, thereby increasing the amusing effect of the present invention.

[0008] A further objective of the present invention is to provide a refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine. The playing machine is provided with a refrigeration circulation, so that the playing machine can be used to refrigerate and store food.

[0009] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine, essentially including a refrigerator and a baffle. The baffle is mounted in the frame of a playing machine, thereby dividing the frame into an upper side and a lower side. The food needed to be refrigerated is placed on the upper surface of the baffle. The refrigerator includes an evaporator mounted in a first passage of one end of the baffle, and extended to the upper side and the lower side of the baffle. A first cover is fitted on the evaporator of the refrigerator, and has a portion extending to the upper side of the baffle and defining a plurality of holes. A plurality of fans are mounted under the first passage. The baffle defines a second passage opposite to the first passage. The second passage is preferably provided with a second cover which defines a plurality of holes and extends to the upper side and the lower side of the baffle. When the refrigeration circulation starts operation, the fans of the first cover start to draw and blow the air under the baffle toward the inside of the first cover. The heat of the air in the first cover is absorbed by the evaporator of the refrigerator to become cold air which is pressurized by the fans, and is then blown out through the holes of the first cover, through the upper surface of the baffle, to flow into the holes of the second cover extending at the upper side of the baffle. The air flows to the lower side of the baffle through the holes of the second cover extending at the lower side of the baffle. Thus, the air circulates continuously between the upper side and the lower side of the baffle through the evaporator of the refrigerator, so that the cold air can be used for refrigerating food placed on the upper surface of the baffle, thereby retaining the freshness of the food.

[0010] Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine in accordance with the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a side plan cross-sectional assembly view of the refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine as shown in FIG. 1;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a top plan assembly view of the refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine as shown in FIG. 1;

[0014]FIG. 4 is a schematic operational view of the refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine as shown in FIG. 2;

[0015]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine along the line 5-5 as shown in FIG. 3;

[0016]FIG. 6 is a schematic operational view of the refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine as shown in FIG. 5; and

[0017]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1-3, a refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine in accordance with the present invention comprises a refrigerator 100 and a baffle 200. The baffle 200 is mounted in the frame 400 of an article capture playing machine, thereby dividing the frame 400 into an upper side and a lower side. The food needed to be refrigerated is placed on the upper surface of the baffle 200. The evaporator 110 of the refrigerator 100 is mounted in a first passage 201 defined in one end of the baffle 200, and extends between the upper side and the lower side of the baffle 200. The first passage 201 is preferably provided with a first cover 300 which is fitted on the evaporator 110 of the refrigerator 100. The compressor 120 of the refrigerator 100 is mounted on the bottom of the frame 400 of the playing machine. The condenser 130 is mounted on the top of the frame 400 of the playing machine. The evaporator 110, the compressor 120, and the condenser 130 are connected by a pipe 101.

[0019] Again referring to FIGS. 1-3, the first cover 300 has a portion extending to the upper side of the baffle 200 and defining a plurality of holes 301. The first cover 300 has a lower end provided with a collecting chute 303, and the collecting chute 303 has a lower portion connected to a flow guide pipe 304 for allowing draining water. A plurality of fans 302 are mounted under the first passage 201 of the baffle 200. The other end of the baffle 200 defines a second passage 202 opposite to the first passage 201. The second passage 202 is preferably provided with a second cover 310 which extends between the upper side and the lower side of the baffle 200, and defines a plurality of holes 311. The baffle 200 is preferably provided with a plurality of through holes 203. A heat insulating baffle 430 is mounted under the baffle 200, and between the first cover 300 and the compressor 120. The playing machine is provided with an inclined face 410 and an article falling opening 420, and the lower portion of the article falling opening 420 is provided with a catch plate 421 which may open or close the article falling opening 420. In addition, the refrigerator 100 is provided with a temperature control device (not shown) for adjusting the refrigeration temperature of food, and when reaching a preset temperature, the compressor 120 stops operation for saving energy.

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, when the refrigeration circulation starts operation, the fans 302 under the first passage 201 start to draw and blow the air under the baffle 200 toward the inside of the first cover 300. The heat of the air in the first cover 300 is absorbed by the evaporator 110 of the refrigerator 100 to become cold air which is pressurized by the fans 302, and is then blown out through the holes 301 of the first cover 300, through the upper surface of the baffle 200, to flow into the holes 311 of the second cover 310 extending at the upper side of the baffle 200. Part of the cold air enters the lower portion of the baffle 200 through the through holes 203 of the baffle 200 for increasing the convection. The air passes through the second passage 202, and flows to the lower side of the baffle 200 through the holes 311 of the second cover 310 extending at the lower side of the baffle 200. Thus, the air may continuously circulate between the upper side and the lower side of the baffle 200 through the evaporator 110 of the refrigerator 100, so that the cold air can be used for refrigerating food placed on the upper surface of the baffle 200, thereby maintaining the freshness of the food. The water condensed by the evaporator 110 is collected in the collecting chute 303 of the first cover 300, and is drained outward from the playing machine through the flow guide pipe 304. By means of the effect of natural convection, when the cold air is blown out through the first cover 300, the hot air lifts, while the cold air lowers down, so that most of the cold air may enter the second passage 202. When the cold air flows out through the second passage 202, the cold air will not directly contact the compressor 120 by means of the heat insulating baffle 430 mounted between the first cover 300 and the compressor 120, thereby preventing the cold air from absorbing the heat produced by the compressor 120.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 5-7, when the article capture playing machine is not in use, the catch plate 421 of the article falling opening 420 is closed, thereby preventing the cold air of the refrigeration circulation from leaking through the article falling opening 420 to the ambient environment. When the user operates the article capture playing machine, the food 500 that has been captured is released on the inclined surface 410 to slide down along the inclined surface 410 toward the article falling opening 420. At the same time, operation of the catch plate 421 of the article falling opening 420 is controlled by a motor 422 and a plurality of linking levers 423 to open, so that the food 500 can pass through the article falling opening 420 for the user to take it.

[0022] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim(s) will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine, comprising: a frame of a playing machine; a baffle, mounted in the frame of the playing machine, thereby dividing the frame into an upper side and a lower side, the baffle having a first end defining a first passage, and a second end defining a second passage; a refrigerator, including an evaporator, a compressor, and a condenser, which are connected by a pipe, the evaporator mounted in the first passage of the baffle; and a plurality of fans, mounted under the first passage of the baffle; wherein, when the fans located under the first passage of the baffle start operation, air under the baffle is drawn, to pass through the evaporator of the refrigerator to be cooled, cold air is blown from holes of the first passage, to enter the second passage through an upper surface of the baffle, whereby the cold air is returned to a position under the baffle, and the cold air circulates continuously between an upper portion and a lower portion of the baffle, for refrigerating food placed on the upper portion of the baffle.
 2. The refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first passage is provided with a first cover extending between the upper side and the lower side of the baffle, the first cover has a portion extending to the upper side of the baffle and defining a plurality of holes, when the fans start operation, air under the baffle is drawn to enter the first cover, the air passes through the evaporator of the refrigerator to be cooled, and is blown toward the second passage through the holes of the first cover.
 3. The refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second passage is provided with a second cover extending between the upper side and the lower side of the baffle, the second cover defines a plurality of holes, when the cold air is blown outward from the holes of the first cover, the cold air enters the holes of the second cover located above the baffle, and is drained through the holes of the second cover located under the baffle.
 4. The refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first cover has a lower end provided with a collecting chute, the collecting chute has a lower portion connected to a flow guide pipe, water condensed by the evaporator is collected in the collecting chute, and is drained outward from the playing machine through the flow guide pipe.
 5. The refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the refrigerator is provided with a temperature control device for adjusting a refrigeration temperature, and when reaching a preset temperature, the compressor stops operation for saving energy.
 6. The refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame of the playing machine is provided with an article falling opening, the article falling opening is provided with a catch plate, when a user operates the playing machine, the catch plate is opened for allowing falling of food, when the user stops operating the playing machine, the catch plate is closed, thereby preventing the cold air from leaking through the article falling opening to the ambient environment.
 7. The refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein a heat insulating baffle is mounted under the baffle, thereby preventing the cold air from absorbing heat of an environment.
 8. The refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein operation of the catch plate is controlled by a motor and a plurality of linking levers.
 9. The refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the baffle is provided with a plurality of through holes, when the cold air is blown outward through the holes of the first passage, the cold air flows through the through holes to a position located under the baffle, thereby enhancing the refrigeration efficiency. 